2/20/2018

Ransomware vs Malware - The differences and protection using Antivirus or VPN What is malware?
Malware acts by instigating a user to install particular software in order to get an access to the user’s computer. As soon, it gets installed; it begins tracking the user’s system and can potentially lead to damages without the user’s knowledge and permission. The most common forms of malware are keyloggers, viruses, worms, and spyware.
Nowadays, Malware is used by as fraudulent software to steal confidential information and spread spams via email attachments. Some unscrupulous elements also use this malicious software for conscripted advertising, and also to make earnings through it. Recently, a Chinese digital marketer used malware Fireball and made ad-revenue generating engines via 250 million web browsers around the globe.

Malware has spread its arms to the corporate networks as well, and almost 20% of them were affected on account of this. The major spread of the Fireball has been discovered to spread because of the bundling process. Without any permission from the user, Malware got installed on its own on the programs like Deal Wi-Fi, Mustang Browser, Soso Desktop and FVP Image viewer.

Also, a malware named Judy affected 36.5 million Android devices. The main intention was to generate revenue by bogus clicking on advertisements via fraudulent means. A Korean company Kiniwini accountable for developing apps had this malware in 41 apps. On the other hand, there are many harmful apps that still exist on the Google Play Store, thereby; it is highly questionable as regards Android’s security.

Also recently, a malware named ‘Crash Override’ was detected in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev which was responsible for a power outage. Most interestingly, it is the first -ever malware that attacked an electric grid.

What is ransomware?
Ransomware is another form of malware accountable for locking up your computer. Furthermore, for getting unlocked, you are required to shell out a demanded payment. The most demanded form of the payment is in terms of Bitcoins. These days, Ransomware is attacking in some other form too. The user’s individual files on his computer are encrypted utilizing a private key. This key is only obtainable from the ransomware authors, and even if you get this key after paying the demanded amount, this no guarantee that your computer will get unlocked.

Ransomware, a new subsidiary of malware, has briskly emerged as a major
threat to the online digital technology. In 2016, there were near about
638 million ransomware attacks, which were exceeding 167 times the
ransomware attacks in 2015. Most of the prominent organizations and
individual users got confused on these malign terms - malware and
ransomware. Being victims of various cyber-attacks, there was a sense of
insecurity amongst them as a whole.

In May 2017, the Wannacry Ransomware made a prominent cyber-attack and was accountable for infecting more than 300,000 computers, running on Windows OS and spread over 150 countries. A number of businesses across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States were also affected because of Ransomware Petya. The difference between Petya and WannaCry is that Petya Ransomware can spread only across a local network, and on the other hand, WannaCry Ransomware is more harmful as it could spread for an indefinite period across the web.

As per the recent reports, it was revealed that Petya is rather a deadly ‘Wiper Malware’, and not simply a ransomware. The design of Petya was similar to that of a ransomware, but its outline lacks the scheme of information recovery. Petya worked by rebooting the user’s computer, encrypted the hard disk’s ‘Master File Table (MFF)’, and affected in making the ‘Master Boot Record (MBR)’ maladjusted. Its malicious code then replaced the encrypted code, thereby ruling out the user from rebooting. On the other hand, the latest variant of Petya does not possess a copy of substituted MBR, thereby, preventing the user to boot his computer.

Mode of spread of Malware and Ransomware
The mode of spread of malware is mainly through emails and attachments with unknown links claiming to have some interesting information tricking the computer to open and read them. Just the once, a computer user clicks on that very link, they get diverted to a fake website which looks identical to a genuine one. Then the users are prompted to download some software, as soon as user downloads it, their system gets infected and damaged.

As revealed, the major sources of cyber attacks are the unclaimed web sites and pop-ups which offer free content in the form of free music or free movies. The main purpose of these attacks is to steal the personal credentials and confidential information of the users, and then use the same for carrying out a number of fraudulent and illegal activities.

Protection from malware attacks using a Antivirus
Many of security vendors provides Anti malware and Anti Ransomware tools to scan and secure you PC or devices and even release you from ransomware attacks.

Protection from malware attacks using a VPN
The best and most-effective way to get protection from malware attacks is to back up your data occasionally. This can help protect your system against malware and ransomware.

Also, a VPN is the technique that permits you to access the web through ambiguity. VPN can also help enhance the security of your system. As soon as the VPN procedure is followed, the attackers will not be able to attack your computer and track all of your confidential information. There are various top-quality VPNs that provide the users a security warning, whenever they make an effort to access doubtful URLs. Moreover, all the data shared online utilizing a VPN is fully encrypted.